Relocation relocation

[Deeky]

Right, I have finally found a school i like the sound of for my year 6's transfer to Secondary next September . . . however it's a horrendous 40 min drive away.
I moved in July to a little flat i love but for the sake of my daughter's education do I re-locate again?
The school is in a lovely rural area, just not an area I ever envisaged living. It's 30 - 40 mins away from my older children so not the end of the world (literally).
Anyone else made the decision to re-locate for this reason and if so, was it worth it?

No chance of her getting a school bus?

could be possible - i will look into that, thank you.

We live 12 miles away from DS1's Secondary school. There is a school bus, but we aren't in catchment. So we asked the council about the Vacant Seat scheme which enables us to pay for the seat and go on the bus if there's a seat free. May be worth giving the council a ring.

I believe it would also be possible to get him there on a normal bus, with a drive to the stop.

again another option i can look into, thank you. Although i have to say at this point, the thought of putting my daughter on public transport on her own terrifies me! A school bus wouldn't be as bad but like yourself, it is way out of the catchment area. I have friends who send their children to schools just outside our catchment and it costs them £200 per year!

Ooh dear, DS's bus costs over £500, but cheaper than moving.

I know what you mean about the public transport. Ds1 is Year 11 now but think I would still be a bit worried.

Have you checked the distance at which the last place had been allocated in recent years? Before you start researching transport options, it might be worth getting as much information as you can about the likelihood (or not) of getting a place from your current address.

No I haven't - I really don't have a clue how it all works. Do you have to have special reasons for choosing a school outside your catchment area?

DSs was an in year transfer so slightly different, also the same council as the other school. Just happened there was a place for him.

Do you think the school will be oversubscribed?

Do you stand any chance of getting a place in a school 40 mins away?

The admissions criteria for the school should be on the school's or the local education authority's website? Are you in England? Usually, in places which operate formal catchment areas, there's nothing to stop you applying for a school out of catchment, but being out of catchment will put you a long way down the admissions priorities. If the school is not oversubscribed, that won't matter, but if the school usually fills all its places from higher priority categories - siblings, social/medical need, in catchment / there may be no places left for children out of catchment.

Assuming you're in England, the school or your LEA should be able to supply information on how many out of catchment children have been given places in recent years.

It is in England and it's under-subscribed by about 200 so it shouldn't be a problem. It is a Specialist Art school, the only one in my County. My daughter is Gifted and Talented in Art so that's why I have chosen it. My closer schools do have great Art Departments but they have 1000+ and are over subscribed.

From your POV, then, it's great that they're undersubscribed as that should leave places available for out of catchment children.

How can it be under subscribed by 200? How many year 7s does it take each year? Assume it's a state school and you need to apply this week?

Yes that's what I thought

Titchy I am only going by the Ofsted report. It says number of pupils on role and capacity of 612. I know they have just over 400 atm. And yes it is a State school.

It has a good Ofsted and a good reputation locally; i can only assume it's the very rural location that puts people off. There are 2 other good schools about 7 miles away in a town location with again 1000+ pupils so maybe most go there?

Ok, well your options are to put that school first on your must, and also make sure you list at least one more school you would get into.

Then if you don't get offered your first choice you could appeal given it's art specialism, and/or move on to it's doorstep so that you move higher up the waiting list on distance.

How come it is so under subscribed?

My own preference eod be to move closer to the school if / when your dd gets a place, in Oder to have friends close by.

How mAny days now til application deadline ?

You really need to find out the likely intake vs their PAN. Look at the LEA website.

Don't rely on OFSTED for pupil numbers! For all you know they could have admitted 120 a year and been super over subscribed for the last three years, but have very low numbers in years 10 and 11.

If you get a place, yes check bus services - most kids are fine in year 7 catching a bus - they do grow up a lot! Do bear in mind her friends will live a long way away though.

Is it a newish school that hasn't got it's Yr 10'and 11s yet?

Thanks to all.
Blu yes it does have yr 10 and 11 and no it isn't a new school.
And Titchy I will def look at the LEA website.
Deadline is 23.59 on the 31st!

Hmm. Having 200 vacant places up and down the school doesn't necessarily mean they've been undersubscribed in the last couple of years - that depends (obviously) on where the vacant places are and how many applications were received. The latter should be available from the school/LEA.

Best of luck.

A bit at those of you who don't want your dcs taking public transport. My dd had to catch a bus and a tube into central London when she started secondary school. Now she and ds catch the Metro in Paris. Isn't that the point of starting secondary - that they start to get a bit of independence?

Lillian - now that's a whole 'nother topic!
Being well known for being a "paranoid" parent i have taken a lot of flack over the years but having what I consider successfully brought up 2 fantastic kids (mainly on my own) although wrapped in cotton wool, the same way i am bringing up my youngest, i feel i have the right to say they have grown into independent socially adept adults nevertheless . . . both have flown the nest; have jobs, great friends and social lives etc. I don't follow the crowd, never have and never will and I think society makes our children grow up too fast these days . . . Childhood is only about 13 years - is that really that long to allow them to be children without the worries and responsibilities of adulthood. And who decided 11 was the right age to start Secondary anyway - probably the same person who decided to make children take the most important exams of their life during their most difficult and challenging years emotionally and physically!

Lillian, I was quite prepared for DS to take public transport if the school bus wasn't available.
It would be a couple of buses and a very long journey out into the countryside though-so not ideal.

And YY about the exams Deeky well said.